Seattle Airport Information
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
Situated 12 miles South of Central Seattle and approximately 20 miles North of Tacoma, the Seattle International Airport is run by the Aviation Division of the Port of Seattle and operates 24-hours-a-day, 365-days-a-year. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is the17th busiest airport in the nation. Affectionately called Sea-Tac by locals, it served nearly 30 million passengers in 2006 alone.
Recent renovations and expansions create a comfortable and relaxing setting for travelers. A 60-foot-tall, 350-foot-long window overlooking the airfield was completed in the Spring of 2005 allowing visitors to watch as planes take-off and land. All of the airport's restrooms have been updated with better lighting, stainless steel stalls, attractive tile finishes and touchless faucets. Brighter, whiter lighting, signage, and color-coded elevators have been added to the 13,000-space parking garage to help guide parkers to spaces closest to their airline's check-in. Even the airport's Satellite Transit System has received a face-lift; all new tracks, trains and stations have been added and security checkpoints were moved to the ticketing level to provide more room in the subway stations.
Passengers traveling through Sea-Tac will also enjoy the airport's extensive collection of art featuring glass, sculpture, painting and photography, as well as works from well-known 20th century artists like Frank Stella, Louise Nevelson and Rauschenberg. Sea-Tac's 35 new restaurants, variety of stores, and manicure and massage services also help to create a pleasurable traveling experience.
With four concourses and two satellite terminals, Sea-Tac provides service to all major cities in the United States, as well as international destinations like London, Paris, Amsterdam and Tokyo. Service areas are continually expanding with flights slated for 2008 to include a new Los-Angles-Seattle-Shanghai flight and a new Seattle-Beijing flight. Sea-Tac is the central hub for Northwest Airlines' international flights and also serves as the base for Alaska Airlines.
Taxis to Airport
Taxis can be located on the third floor of the main Parking Garage. Available vehicles include large vans, sedans and station wagons. Taxis to areas like Auburn, Ballard, Bellevue (downtown), Boeing Field, Burien, Capital Hill, Covington, Des Moines, Federal Way, Fife, Kent and downtown Seattle range in price from approximately $20-$40. It should only take about 25-30 minutes to travel from SEA to the city center. Phones are available curbside on the Baggage Claim Level to reserve taxi services. For more information, call (206) 246-9999.
Buses/Shuttles to Airport
Shuttles and buses are a popular means of transportation to and from the Seattle Airport, running almost 24-hours around the clock. There are many service providers including Shuttle Express, Airporter Shuttle, Black Hills Transportation, Bremerton-Kitsap Airporter, Capital Aeroporter, and Gray Line Downtown Airporter. For more information about transportation options, go to the Ground Transportation Information Booths on the third floor of the parking garage or in the baggage claim area across from Carousel 12. Travelers can also dial 55 from any Traveler's Information Board to hear the most current shuttle schedules and rates. For more information: 800-544-1965
Airline carriers serving Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
- Air Canada (including Air Canada regional airlines)
- Alaska Airlines
- America West Airlines
- American Airlines
- ATA
- Asiana Airlines
- Big Sky
- British Airways
- China Airlines
- Continental Airlines
- Delta Air Lines
- EVA Air
- Frontier Airlines
- Hawaiian Airlines
- Horizon Air
- Iberia Airlines
- JetBlue Airways
- KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
- Lufthansa
- Northwest Airlines
- Scandinavian Airlines
- SkyWest Airlines
- Southwest Airlines
- Sun Country Airlines
- United Airlines (including United Express)
- US Airways
Seattle Train Information
Amtrak
As an excellent alternative to Seattle's crowded airports and freeways, Amtrak offers service to hundreds of destinations, comfortable seats and roomy accommodations. Amtrak operates from the historic King Street Station, nestled in Pioneer Square, as well as the Victoria Ferry Service Station at Pier 69.
From the train, enjoy scenic views of the Cascade and Olympic Mountain ranges, the Puget Sound and the Columbia River. Seattle Amtrak provides service to destinations like Tukwila, Tacoma, Olympia/Lacey, Centralia and many more.
Seattle Public Transportation
Buses
Due to its rainy climate, much of Seattle bus travel takes place beneath the city in its downtown bus tunnels. Most buses within the downtown area are free of charge between the hours of 6:00 am and 7:00 pm. For more information on the complimentary bus service, refer to the Metro Free Bus information.
The Metro Transit Bus charges $1.50 during rush hours (Monday - Friday, 6-9 am and 3-7 pm) and $1.25 at all other times, including weekends. If traveling on a Metro Transit Bus, make sure to pay the exact amount as drivers do not typically carry change. Bus fares are to be paid when boarding if traveling towards downtown, but don't be confused because fares are to be paid when exiting if heading away from the downtown area. Keep an eye out for Metro buses with green and white "EXPRESS" signs, as well as those whose signs read "VIA EXPRESS," as these buses are intended to accommodate regular commuters traveling between work and home and make no additional stops.
Shuttles
The majority of Seattle's Shuttle Services operate from 5:00 am to 11:00 pm with service during off-peak hours by reservation only. Shuttle rates range from around $30 for one to two people, increasing by $4 per person for each additional rider.
Seattle's Shuttle Express has been Puget Sound's most-trusted airport shuttle, town car and limousine service since 1987. The express service offers sedan and luxury limo service, vans and mini-coaches, as well as wine tours, city tours and charters.
Taxis
Taxis are readily available almost anywhere inside the Seattle city limits. The customary charge for two passengers is $2.50, plus $2 per mile thereafter, and $0.50 extra per passenger.
Distance to...
- Tacoma, WA
- Vancouver, BC
- Portland, OR
- Olympia, WA
- Sacramento, CA
- 35 miles
- 141 miles
- 175 miles
- 202 miles
- 755 miles
